In choosing a first scope (as an adult...I had a 60mm store-bought scope when I was a kid), I agonized over the details for weeks. I had read everything I could get my hands on. Star Ware, Backyard, uncounted online FAQs, beginner's advice pages, etc. I stayed up late reading and rereading these books and stacks of printouts.For my first scope, I wanted something of real quality. I didn't want the hassle of collimation, even though I was assured that it's not a big deal. I wanted something reasonably portable, and I wanted something with enough aperture to be fairly flexible in the types of objects that a beginner might observe. I enjoy quality things, and I knew that my success in the hobby would be tied to the pleasure I experienced at the hands of the instrument I chose. Therefore I decided to take a plunge and get something manageable, high-quality, seamlessly designed to work with all the components I would need, and from all reports an absolute pleasure to use.
I chose the 4-inch small apochromatic refractor from TeleVue, the Tele Vue-101.
It's small enough to not be a hassle -- typically my entire setup (including books, clothes, and other incidentals) takes two walks from the house to the trunk -- and at the same time it's large enough so when I get there I'm able to get outstandingly crisp, clean, high-contrast views. After all this, it's still only a 4" scope, and that's okay. I find that it tends to compare well in view quality (of which detail is just one component) with other scopes of much higher aperture. Still - it's not going to be the best scope for deep sky work. But I'll worry about filling that need with another scope.
I plan to use the scope for a general all-around study of the heavens. I want to do some planetary and lunar observing, but I also want to see how far I can get in a survey of brighter deep sky objects, like the Messiers.
To go along with the TV101, I purchased TeleVue's Gibraltar mount with ash tripod. I am using the TeleVue Starbeam 1x finder scope, and it works very well. It's a simple and elegant package which is easy to setup, use, and break down.
I am currently working on a Messier survey with the TV101. As of April 2001, I have 33 objects logged. I think I've used this scope long enough to name it. But we'll see.
Scope in its little coffin.
Scope with Starbeam finder set up.
Set up at home. Waiting for skies to clear.
First Light at Henry Coe State Park on January 29, 2000.
At Dinosaur Point on April 21, 2001. Photo by Mark Wagner.
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Updated on 05/26/2001 10:45:16 AM